Question

proximate cause limits the responsibility of a wrongdoer in negligence law by providing that a wrongdoer is legally responsible only for direct closely connected continuous sequence of events between the negligent conduct and the injury to plaintiff and the foreseeable consequences of his or her wrongful conduct.

true or false?

Answer 1

Proximate Cause

A proximate cause is the cause sufficient enough from a legal perspective to result in a liability. It is an event fairly related to the injury that it is looked upon as the cause to the injury. The dictionary meaning of the word proximate is ' closest in relationship' . Like the meaning suggests, when we look at proximate cause what we emphasise on the nearest cause to the injury and not the remote ones.

Responsibility of a wrongdoer:

In case of a proximate cause, for the wrongdoer to be held responsible it is important to show that the wrongdoer's negligence actually caused the injury. Proving negligence alone would not suffice to hold someone responsible. It is only when one can prove that the negligence of the wrongdoer was the reason for injury that recovery can be initiated by the plaintiff.

Also, the element of being able to foresee is of importance here. If the series of actions of the defendant happen to somehow cause the accident or injury, it cannot amount to negligence that caused the injury. It is only when the defendant could reasonable foresee his or her actions causing damage or injury that one can be held responsible.

Thus, proximate cause limits the responsibility of a wrongdoer in negligence law by providing that a wrongdoer is legally responsible only for direct closely connected continuous sequence of events between the negligent conduct and the injury to plaintiff and the foreseeable consequences of his or her wrongful conduct.

So, the statement is true.